Muslim hospitality micro-entrepreneurs’ perspectives on empowerment: A research note

Abstract

The concept of empowerment emphasises the role of individual agency in fostering the internal growth of power, with the belief that only individuals can increase their power and achieve well-being. This research note critically examines the role of Islamic beliefs in the process of empowerment among Muslim micro-entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry. This is crucial because Islam, teaches that God is the omnipotent force that controls every aspect of human existence, which may not align with the notion of individual agency. Using data gathered from twenty-five unstructured online interviews with street food vendors in Bandung, Indonesia, this research note offers a perspective on how Islamic beliefs influence the empowerment process of Muslim street food vendors. The results show that Islamic beliefs affect street food vendors’ motivations and positive thinking, which contribute to their empowerment.